The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Miguel Rojas from the 10-day injured list and designated Austin Wynns for assignment prior to Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Rojas returns after missing the past 11 games due to a left hamstring strain. The 34-year-old completed a brief rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga over the weekend that saw him play five innings at shortstop on Saturday and serve as the designated hitter on Sunday.
Rojas missed five games earlier this season while recovering from groin tightness, and also dealt with a right calf and foot cramp, left hamstring cramp and left hamstring strain since the start of Spring Training.
During Rojas’ absence, the Dodgers relied on Luke Williams, Chris Taylor and Mookie Betts at shortstop. Williams has since been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, leaving Betts and Taylor to man the position.
Wynns appeared in six games (five starts) with the Dodgers and went 2-for-13 with one double and two RBI. He was signed to a contract last month in the wake of Will Smith being placed on the seven-day concussion list.
Wynns joined the Dodgers two days after electing free agency upon clearing waivers following the San Francisco Giants designating him for assignment. Smith has since been reinstated, and with Austin Barnes returning to his backup role, Wynns became the odd man out.
Dodgers changing Miguel Rojas’ role
When the Dodgers traded for Rojas, it was with an intention of having him fill a utility role off the bench. Those plans changed when Gavin Lux suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training, thrusting Rojas into a starting role.
Rojas hit just .125/.200/.156 in 11 games prior to landing on the IL, and no longer is expected to be the starting shortstop.
“I think (starting) a couple times a week is fair,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Rojas’ role.
“I don’t feel comfortable running him out there every day anyway. And so whether it’s C.T. or Mookie taking that down, I feel good. I think once once he gets back and I look at matchups, and what gives the best chance to win that day, I can give you a better answer. I don’t know that answer right now.
“There’s a lot of soft tissue (injuries), and we’ve got to find a way to keep him healthy.”
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